Physio student shares knowledge and experience

Tuesday 15 Aug 2017

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has taken
her enthusiasm to become a health professional to high school students in the Top
End.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy
student Ms Amy Reif at CSU in Orange was one of six university students selected
nationally to take part in the Northern Territory (NT) Rural High School Visits
Program, funded
by the Australian Government under the PHN Program.

Ms Reif said, "Based primarily in Darwin, we
visited six different high schools to present to groups of students from Years
10 to 12.

"We
discussed our journeys towards becoming a health professional, worked through a
problem-based learning scenario, and discussed barriers to university including
money, marks, moving, motivation, and mates.

"I
took the school students through a workstation with 'tools from my trade' such
as a TENS machine, wobble board, crutches, x-rays, tendon hammers, and
anatomical models."

Among
the aims of the annual program is
encouraging teenagers in the NT to remain
at school and consider health careers and
options available to students through tertiary education.

"The
feedback we received from the school students showed we had either converted
students into wanting to study one of our health disciplines, or encouraged the
students to simply consider applying for university, which was a fantastic
outcome.

"During
our time in Darwin, we also toured the Royal Darwin Hospital with local doctors
and travelled south to Katherine for a night to visit an Aboriginal
Medical Service, the Katherine Hospital, and two high schools.

"As
part of our own learning, we participated in 'clinical speed dates'. We were
able to have a one-on-one discussion with someone from our health disciplines
about career pathways and working in rural and remote areas.

"This
was extremely beneficial as I'm at the stage in my final year of
university where I need to consider employment opportunities for next year.

"I
am very interested in remaining in a regional area, whether that is in a hospital
environment or private practice.

"I
am now seriously considering applying for physiotherapy jobs in the Northern
Territory now that I have participated in this program.

"I
am also employed by the Australian Army Reserves, so transferring to the
Australian Regular Army as a full-time physiotherapist is potentially on
the future agenda also.

"I
loved the experience in the NT and encourage other Charles Sturt University
students to get involved in the program next year.

"Being surrounded by people who are all so passionate about
expanding healthcare in rural and remote Australia was incredibly inspiring and
something I will never forget."

CSU
offers its Bachelor of Physiotherapy through the University's School of
Community Health at Albury-Wodonga, Orange, and Port Macquarie.